As a part of the outcomes of Banadir elder’s monthly forum that was held in Mogadishu on 18th July 2012, Somali Peace Line organized two days forum on roadblocks in Banadir region at IIDA conference hall on 25th July 2012 and in Beder conference hall on 26th July 2012.
More than 110 people from 16 districts, Banadir administration and elders targeted by the action have attended the meeting. The purpose of the meetings was to strengthen working relationship between clan elders and Banadir districts’ administrations share problems created by roadblock militia and plan strategies to remove these roadblocks in the city.
All districts representatives expressed concerns over the roadblocks in their own districts but also indicated that roadblocks cannot be removed all in the present time. The district representatives blamed city insecurities and increasing roadblocks for trained thousands of clan militia, give weapons and release them in the town without giving them salaries. “The militia rob people and establish roadblocks in the town”, said by one participant.
Districts representatives made known the existence of peace committees in districts that work together with the district administration and security forces. This they said contributed some progress in crime prevention and civilian protection. Some acknowledged the existence of checkpoints in their districts but they argued that it is did so to promote peace and confine militia at roads so that they do not harm people in their residences.
Recommendations
In order to reduce the harm of roadblocks, the participants recommended the following points:
1.The government and Banadir local authority will come up with organized and transparent tax collection system and use it paying security forces and other public services.
2.The militias in different places will be brought together and organize it based on security needs
3.The government is recommended to create skills training for the freelance militia
4.The clan elders, business people, peace committees, police and district administrations should have close working relationships in assuring peace and security.
5.The local NGOs, clan elders and other social groups should take awareness raising campaign on roadblocks.
